Join us in sharing your students and your stories of joys, those remarkable accomplishments that take place in spite of or in response to the repressive environments in which we might work. Join us in reclaiming our joys and celebrating them in the wonderfully supportive forum that gathers each year under the whole language umbrella!

Hotel Information

All summer institute activities will take place at the Hilton St. Louis at the Ballpark. Special room rates are available until June 27.

The Hilton at the Ballpark is sold out on Saturday night because a baseball game is in town. The average room rate for Saturday night is $309. However, since WLU is going to be meeting in the hotel, they have agreed to take 20 addition rooms from their inventory for us to use on Saturday night, but the cost will be $195 for that night only. You will need to book early to receive that rate.

Registration Information

Registration deadline is July 13, 2012. Anyone wishing to register after this date must register onsite in St. Louis.

Preconference Workshop

Corporate interests will continue to trump the rights of children to a well-rounded, fully funded public education, and access to a meaningful, responsive literacy curriculum . . . UNLESS WE ACT NOW! This summer we invite educational activists, Save Our Schools supporters, and whole language advocates to collaborate in planning strategies for resistance against corporate control of schools and literacy.

Luncheon

A Luncheon in Honor of Dorothy Watson’s Dedication to WLUFriday, July 20 12:45–2:00 p.m. (Tickets $34.00 per person)

Dorothy Watson, Professor Emerita at the University of Missouri Columbia, has befriended and mentored hundreds of teachers and children. She has authored and co-authored texts and publications that cover a range of progressive literacy topics. Some of us know her as the first person to have introduced us to the tenets and beliefs of whole language learning; her faith and belief in the wholistic approach to teaching are a living legacy. Most of all, Dorothy has defined the lives of so many young readers, always reminding us that a child is not a test score.

This session is intended for anyone attending the summer institute. Seasoned participants will enjoy reminiscing and learning about Dorothy. Those new to the institute will get a sense of the history, joy, beliefs, and possibilities of being part of an important professional home.

Circus Harmony is a ground-breaking, bridge-building project that features circus arts performed by children from different neighborhoods accompanied by music from different countries. The project includes weekly development and training of youth circus performers, rehearsals with professional musicians, and regular public performances.